We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Most of your questions will find easy answers either through the search engine here or guidebooks, but regarding question 2, you may want to head to Marché Saint Pierre near Montmartre for huge choice of fabrics (http://www.marchesaintpierre.com/), and to Puces de Saint Ouen (if you are there on a week-end) for all kind of antiques / garage sales items which can make neat decoration items. There are also scores of more usual stores: Muji, Conran Shop, Delorme...

I've just returned from four days in Paris with friends, and I didn't do half of the things I wanted to, so I wouldn't suggest splitting your visit here with somewhere else.

The Louvre costs €12 - be prepared to queue and know that you may need more than a day to see what you want to see; check the website and plan your visit if possible.

The Eiffel Tower costs €9 to the second floor (be aware that all but one of the piers has a lift - you may end up having to climb 300+ steps if you queue and purchase a ticket at the wrong pier!), and a further €6 to get the lift to the top - if it's not closed due to the weather. There are restaurants and a buffet place at the Tower, but they're really overpriced, so I'd suggest eating elsewhere.

Visits to the Sacre Coeur and Notre Dame are free, with small donations for lighting candles.

A lot of Parisian landmarks are free to visit and/or look at (Jardins du Tuileries, Pyramid at The Louvre, Place du Tertre) where others you can look at for free, but pay an entrance fee to actually visit (Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre, Eiffel Tower).

If you like to shop then there are some really nice boutiques running alongside the Jardins du Tuileries, and there's always the Champs Élysées with its mix of luxury and high street.

The Latin Quarter is great for places to eat, as is the Belleville neighbourhood if you're into Chinese/Vietnamese food (I recommend Tin Tin).

Speaking of Belleville, there is a really nice Park here that offers amazing views of the City.

In terms of accommodation see what's on offer by way of holiday rentals here on Trip Advisor; I rented an apartment for four days at at very good price. A do it's something I'd do again.

Travel wise, invest in a Paris Visite for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days. This allows you unlimited travel on the Paris Metro and Bus system, and offers discount at some attractions. I took advantage of a pre-booked Taxi to and from the Airport to my accommodation using wecab.com. They offer a personal or shared Taxi service at excellent prices (I paid €74 for a return trip for three people with an item of luggage each), and they keep you informed as to when your Taxi will arrive and what type/colour the vehicle is.

Please don't hesitate to ask more questions or contact me for anything else you'd like to know about my recent trip.

Carnavalet Museum is free. So is Notre Dame (if you don't climb the towers). So are many of the other churches in Paris. Sainte Chapelle costs money. I can't think of any others off the top of my head.

In order to start on the right foot when looking for any service it is always a requirement to start by saying Bonjour Madame or Bonjour Messieurs then Vous parler anglais? otherwise you will be considered as the rude American and service will tend to (but not always) be rude in exchange.

a site like Trivago will help you sort out hotels by price and arrondissement (you need to learn about arrondissements) in the postal code the last 2 numbers are the arrondissement. 75006 is the 6th etc..

ET you will see from lots of places when you walk around so unless you have a keen interest in get to the top no need to be on the list. The Louvre can be done with a whirlwind tour of the 5 hot spots or you decide what you really want to see before going and then choose a wing to visit on Wed and Fri as it is open late. there is a good plan of the building online. http://www.louvre.fr/en

I absolutely would NOT invest a sou in the Paris Visite Pass for your trip!! It is a tourist rip-off that takes a bunch of tickets you can buy at much lower prices, packages them, and puts a large markup on them. You do not need this. And in fact, you'd never even be interested in 30% of the silly offerings on it.

A Paris Museum Pass might be a good investment depending on how many museums you want to visit - but you'll have to do the math. To get around the city on the métro and buses, just buy a carnet of 10 individual t+ tickets and replenish them as you need to, if you do.

The Centre Pompidou often has really fascinating interior design exhibits. The Père Lachaise Cemetery, resting place of innumerable famous Parisians (and others) is free and not far from the Parc de Belleville. There's a great market in Belleville on Thursdays (one on the same day in Ménilmontant too).